Fishing Upper Sky High Lake in Siskiyou County, California

• Overview

  The Siskiyou County end of California holds Upper Sky High Lake. The surface lies 5,804 feet up. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Happy Camp lies 20 miles from the water. The big place round here is Chico, 144 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications. It is a working water rather than a showpiece.

• Where to Fish on Upper Sky High Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Siskiyou County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Chinook salmon, klamath smallscale sucker and brown trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read Upper Sky High Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 60°F in August and bottoms out near 34°F in December. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Expect Upper Sky High Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Frying Pan Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Upper Sky High Lake is worth confirming on the day.